This is the best way to keep your hands wrinkle-free, according to the pros

Your hands can be a very visible sign of ageing and they’re also a hard-working body part that we often neglect. David Conner, Skincare Expert and Co-Founder of Kanzen Skincare says that we invest so much time into our faces but our hands deserve the same care if we want them to stay youthful for longer. So why is hand ageing such an issue?

David explains, ‘Our hands are exposed daily to UV light, environmental stressors, and frequent washing – all of which break down collagen and elastin over time. Unlike the face, the skin on the hands is thinner and contains fewer oil glands, making it more vulnerable to dryness, thinning, and pigmentation, and causing them to show signs of ageing more quickly.’

There are preventative measures and practical ways you can start looking after your hands better, and it’s an area we often forget too focus on.

Shenuka Fernando, Director of Skin Care and Beauty at Spa Ceylon says the best way to develop a hand care routine for those who don’t already have one is to incorporate hand care into morning and evening skincare routines. ‘Start by placing hand care products in visible spots, like by your sink or on your bedside table, to remind yourself to use them.

‘Attach the routine to existing habits, for example, moisturise your hands right after applying your face cream in the morning or before bed. Over time, this consistency will naturally turn hand care into a seamless part of your daily self-care routine.’ 

Read on and discover expert advice on turning back time the natural way with the latest non-surgical innovations.

What are age spots?

As you get older, you might suddenly discover flat brown patches on the back of your hands, that can grow and even merge together. These are known as age spots, sun spots or liver spots, and they can play a part in making your hands look older than you’d like.

Age spots are mainly caused by exposure to ultraviolent rays (UV) over the years and it triggers the production of melanin, which leads to the darkening of the skin. They can also worsen with age, as the skin’s ability to regenerate and repair itself slows down. There are other causes – such as genetics and hormonal changes such as menopause.

While there are invasive options such as laser therapy, chemical peels and microdermabrasion to tackle age spots, a dedicated natural hand care routine can really make a difference and reduce the appearance.

Skin and Aesthetics expert, Nina Prisk, founder of Update Aesthetics says: ‘As we age, the skin on our hands can become thinner, lose volume, and develop fine lines and wrinkles. To maintain youthful hands, a skincare routine focusing on hydration, protection, and gentle care is key.

‘Sun protection is a crucial aspect. Just as we protect our faces, the hands also need SPF to shield them from sun damage, which is a leading cause of age spots. These discolourations can appear as flat, darkened areas on the skin, typically from prolonged UV exposure over time. I always recommend using a hand cream with built-in SPF or applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect the hands before going outdoors. Be sure to reapply this regularly, as this will help prevent further pigmentation and protect your skin from premature ageing.’

Nina also recommends moisturising as one of the most effective steps you can take, adding. ‘A rich hand cream containing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which helps retain moisture, and peptides, which support collagen production, can keep your skin feeling soft and firm. Apply your moisturiser throughout the day, especially after washing your hands, to prevent dryness and keep the skin nourished.’

Natural ways to make your hands look younger

Lynn Mason, In-House Beauty Expert at Mavala says, ‘Our hands are often the first place to show signs of ageing – think fine lines, sun spots, dry skin, and brittle nails. But with a little care and consistency, you can keep them looking youthful and healthy for years to come. Here are my go-to natural tips.’

1. Daily SPF is Non-Negotiable

Hands are constantly exposed to UV rays, which accelerate ageing. Apply a SPF every morning, even in winter and reapply after washing your hands or being outdoors.

Product suggestion: Mavala Anti-Spot Hand Cream £24, Nailpolishdirect.com

You can target pigmentation spots caused by sun exposure and ageing with non-SPF products such as Mavala’s Anti-Spot Cream for Hands. Infused with Alpine plant extracts and vitamin C, this cream is a treatment that reduces the appearance of spots, evens skin tone, and brightens the complexion. It also hydrates and protects, leaving your hands youthful and radiant.

2. Moisturise After Every Wash

Frequent handwashing and sanitising can strip your skin of natural oils. Keep a nourishing, hand cream by the sink, and look for intensely hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, shea butter, or sweet almond oil to hydrate and soften.

Product suggestion: Mavala Prebiotic Hand Cream, £18.70, Johnlewis.com

Mavala’s Prebiotic Hand Cream is an expert care solution that strengthens your skin barrier while preserving its natural balance. Formulated with natural prebiotics (a blend of yogurt and inulin), this cream deeply nourishes your skin and protects the diversity of your skin’s microbiome. Its anti-dryness sugar complex, combined with shea butter and cotton oil, delivers intense hydration and instant comfort.

3. Gentle exfoliation once a week

Use a natural scrub to slough away dead skin cells and boost circulation. This helps hands look brighter and feel smoother and will allow for better absorption of creams.

4. Overnight hand masks

Once or twice a week, slather on a rich hand cream, pop on some cotton gloves, and sleep your way to silky-soft hands. This will provide an intensive burst of hydration for the hands.

Product Suggestion: Mavala Repairing Night Hand Cream £48.50, Nailpolishdirect.com

The Mavala Repairing Night Cream for Hands provides deep restoration for hands damaged by daily stress. Wake up to softer, smoother, and more resilient hands.

5. Gloves are your best friend

When cleaning, gardening, or doing any crafting that’s hard on your hands, wear gloves. They’ll protect against harsh chemicals and friction that can age both skin and nails.

Your hand problem… and the solution

Discover the latest innovations in hand treatments that are tailored to tackle your specific problem areas.

Crepey hand skin? Profhilo treatment skin booster

For crepey, wrinkled skin on the hands, aesthetician Dr Leah from Dr Leah Cosmetic Skin Clinics recommends a Profhilo treatment. This is a skin booster which can be injected into the hands and acts as a ‘bio-vitaliser’, helping rehydrate the skin and stimulates elastin production.

The injection contains hyaluronic acid – something that naturally occurs in our body in the eyes, joints and skin and acts as a ‘lubricant’ – which can plump and moisturise the skin on the back of the hands and can improve skin texture.

Dr Leah says: ‘Profhilo treatment is also an ideal treatment to correct fine lines and wrinkles across the back of the hands. Thanks to Profhilo’s intensely hydrating hyaluronic acid formulation, the skin has the power to retain more water, which helps to dehydrate and fill out wrinkled or crepe skin on hands.’

Loose skin? ThermageFLX radiofrequency tightening

If your problem is loose skin on the hands, radiofrequency tightening might be for you. ThermageFLX is a monopolar radiofrequency device, which delivers deep volumetric heating, which activates the production of new collagen and helps to define contours. The tightened appearance of the skin is caused by the collagen tissue contracting.

It works with your doctor or practitioner using the Thermage device over the top of the skin, which uses radiofrequency to heat the skin from within, a safe and effective way to stimulate collagen production, resulting in tighter, firmer skin.

Thermage treatment does not involve the use of needles, meaning it is completely non-invasive, there is no downtime and you can return to normal activities after the procedure. 

Dr Rita Rakus Clinic in London offers ThermageFLX which works to achieve a heat level of 45 degrees – the specific temperature needed to boost collagen and change tissue structures.

Dr Rita Rakus says: ‘This is not a painful procedure, as the device vibrates and cools the skin at the same time, meaning there is little to no downtime.

The results will continue to improve for up to 6 months after the first treatment. Noticeable results can be seen after just one session.’

Wrinkles, fine lines and skin imperfections? Glow peel

If your hand problem is wrinkles, lines or marks, a glow peel might be in order. Traditional chemical peels can be harsh, but the Jalupro Glow Peel is hailed as the next generation of skin resurfacing and leading cosmetic doctor Dr Yusra Al-Mukhtar is one of the first doctors in the UK to be using Jalupro Glow Peels in her clinic.

She says: ‘This professional-grade chemical peel is formulated with advanced bio-revitalising ingredients. It combines amino acids and other active components to promote skin regeneration and radiance, designed to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and skin imperfections.

Clinically proven to restore skin luminosity, improve texture, and tackle fine lines, the Jalupro Glow Peel is the ultimate skin reset; delivering powerful results with no downtime.’

In fact, you can have a Jalupro Glow Peel in your lunch hour as it takes just 30-45 minutes.

The peel is a blend of active ingredients and resurfaces the skin, refining texture, evening skin tone and increasing radiance and so is ideal for hands.

Dr Al Mukhtar says: ‘The beauty of the Jalupro Glow Peel lies in its ability to deliver transformative results while being incredibly gentle on the skin. Many patients worry about peels causing redness or flaking, but this treatment works in a way that enhances radiance while actively restoring skin health. Patients see a more even complexion, refined texture, and that sought-after, lit-from-within glow – all without the need for downtime. It’s the perfect choice for those looking for a pre-event treatment or a skin refresh with lasting benefits.’

The Jalupro Glow Peel is now available at leading aesthetic clinics across the UK.

Loose skin and prominent veins? Ellansé collagen-stimulating dermal filler

Dermal filler isn’t just for cheeks and lips – it can be used on the hands, too. Dr Leah Totton recommends Ellanse – a dermal filler that helps stimulate your natural collagen production when it’s injected into the hands.

Whereas many dermal fillers are made up of hyaluronic acid, Ellanse contains PCL microspheres – these act as a ‘biostimulator’ to increase your own collagen production.

Dr Leah says: ‘Ellanse will give a more dramatic result than Profhilo and is able to smooth fine lines and wrinkles, replace volume in the hands and fill hollows as well as conceal prominent veins.’ The results last around 12 months.

A mixture of all of the above? Fat grafting

If all else has failed and you want dramatic results, consider fat grafting. This process involves harvesting excess fat from another area of the body by liposuction, such as from the thighs or tummy, and transferring it to the back of the hands. It helps to replenish lost volume and also improves the overall texture and elasticity of the skin, making the hands appear plumper and rejuvenated.

Dr Dan Marsh and Dr Mo Akhavani, founders of The Plastic Surgery Group say: ‘A fat grafting procedure typically takes around 1-2 hours but this varies depending on the size of the area being treated and whether other procedures are being performed at the same time. This is a day case treatment so patients will be home the same day.'

Dr Dan Marsh adds: ‘Ageing has a huge impact on the appearance of the hands, and many people notice that with age their hands lose their natural volume and that the skin on their hands loses its natural elasticity and plumpness, making them appear more wrinkled and saggy. Some people may also experience this after weight loss. There is, however, an extremely effective way to address this ageing of the hands and to restore the volume that is lost naturally with age and that is with fat grafting. The stem cells help with rejuvenating the skin, meaning that fat grafting is most certainly the future of hand ageing and something which we predict will rise in popularity in the coming years.

‘When fat is grafted the results are permanent, however one to two top ups may be required as with any other fat grafting. It’s a great permanent alternative to dermal fillers.’

Don’t forget your nails!

Lynn Mason, In-House Beauty Expert at Mavala shares are top tips for looking after your nails.

1. Hydration is Key

Brittle, ridged or discoloured nails can add years to your hands. Hydrate your nails and cuticles with a nourishing nail oil or serum. Look for formulas rich in keratin, vitamin E, or biotin.

Product suggestion: Mavaflex Serum, £23, Nailpolishdirect.com

This expert nail serum restores hydration and elasticity with a blend of urea, hyaluronic acid, calcium, and vitamin B5. Enriched with lemon extract and saccharides, it prevents and strengthens the nail plate, making it ideal for harder, drier, thicker nails.

2. Scrub your nails

To stop nails from discolouration, you can also use a finer scrub on the nails to lift any dirt and stains, providing instant radiance for nails and cuticles.

Product suggestion: Mavala Lightning Scrub Mask, £16.60, Nailpolishdirect.com

The Lightening Nail Scrub is your go-to solution for a flawless manicure. Formulated with natural exfoliating particles, it effectively removes stains from nails and eliminates dead skin around the cuticles. Infused with lemon extract for brightness, and nourishing ingredients like sweet almond oil, wheat germ oil, and shea butter, this scrub softens cuticles while allantoin and aloe vera soothe and hydrate your skin.

3. Don’t Skip Base Coat

Always use a base coat before applying colour – it protects nails from staining and can include strengthening ingredients. You can always use a base coat just to protect nails if you don’t want colour too!

Product suggestion: Mavala Barrier Base Coat, £20, Nailpolishdirect.com

Give your nails a breather every now and then. Use this time to treat them with a nail hardener or repair serum to maintain their strength and clarity.

Start your manicure with Barrier-Base Coat, specifically formulated for dry and delicate nails. This water-based base coat protects nails while maintaining their flexibility, preventing dryness, splitting, and breakage.

4. Take a Nail Polish Break

Product suggestion: Mavala Scientifique K+, £19.50, LOOKFANTASTIC.com

Mavala’s first ever product and still a best seller, Scientifique K+ is specially designed for brittle or splitting nails. This expert treatment fortifies the most delicate part of your nail: the tip. Its secret lies in powerful active ingredients like crystalline resin tears and mastic tree extract, which enhance keratin production.

5. Natural Nail Enhancers Over Acrylics

Acrylics and gels may offer instant results but can cause long-term damage. Opt for breathable nail treatments that enhance the natural nail while keeping them healthy.

6. Don’t Forget the Cuticles

Damaged cuticles give a neglected appearance to nails. Massage a little cuticle oil into the base of your nails daily as maintains the suppleness of the cuticles and softens the skin around the nail enabling it to be rolled gently back.

Product suggestion: Mavala Cuticle Oil, £16, LOOKFANTASTIC.com

Daily Nourishment for Cuticles Mavala’s Cuticle Oil is packed with sunflower, sweet almond, and olive oils to nourish and soften the skin around your nails. Perfect for daily use, it helps prevent dryness and torn cuticles, leaving your nail contours neat and well-defined.